Barcelona Marathon; what it’s like to run the Barcelona Marathon

Our Product Manager Simon shares with us why he ran the Barcelona Marathon and why.

“I decided to run Barcelona marathon, based on criteria such as location, time of year, race reports and destination attractions. Barcelona did not disappoint!”

Why Barcelona Marathon?

After my first year working in the marathon tourism industry, although I was already a keen middle distance runner and a regular traveller, I decided that I should really start running marathons myself. After researching more marathons than I can care to remember, I decided to run Barcelona marathon, based on criteria such as location, time of year, race reports and destination attractions.

Overseas Location

As much as I would have loved to have run a marathon locally with all my friends & family out on the course cheering me along, I decided that I’d keep my plans a secret, as I was worried if I’d even make the full distance, let alone within my target time. A city break was the perfect cover for my illicit marathon, and it also gave me a guarantee that even if my marathon were a disaster, I’d still be able to make the most of my weekend.

Time of Year

Although my main reason for choosing a spring marathon was my own arbitrary deadline of my 30th birthday, it was also great motivation to keep myself training over the winter, instead of my usual habit of turning into a fair-weather runner. A small investment in warm weather kit was all I needed to encourage myself to increase my winter mileage.

The Course

The course is relatively flat, with the most noticeable climb coming in the final kilometres as you make your way inland away from the port. Because of the way the more modern areas of Barcelona were designed, there are plenty of wide, straight sections along main roads. Even in the older parts of town, the route mostly stays on wider roads, with the only real pinch point coming as you pass through the Arc de Triomf. There is a section exposed to the sea, but generally the area never produces more than a welcome light breeze.

The crowds are naturally larger in the parts of the course closest to the main landmarks, but there are generally no completely silent parts of the course. The kilometres in less busy areas of the city coincide with the “out-and-back” sections, meaning you get additional support from your fellow runners passing in the opposite direction.

The Sights

The course passes by pretty much every iconic landmark in Barcelona, which not only enhances your experience, but also helps to distract from whatever might be happening in your legs. Starting off with the Camp Nou to provide some sporting inspiration, the course makes its way through the city’s modern grid network of roads before passing the Sagrada Familia. This Gaudi-designed Basilica has been under construction since 1882 and is possibly the most spectacular and most visited building site in the world.

A lot of sights are packed into the latter parts of the route, as you pass through the older parts of the city, passing under the Arc de Triomf, then by Placa Catalunya and the old Cathedral. The final major landmark is the Columbus Monument, a welcome sight that means the finish line is almost in sight.

The Start/Finish area itself has a lot to take in, with the former bullring that has been converted into a shopping centre, the Placa d’Espanya itself, and the Venetian Towers framing the majestic Montjuic National Palace.

The Logistics

My weekend in Barcelona was focused around the Placa d’Espanya, so I made sure that I booked myself accommodation nearby (Marathon Tours & Travel have a great hotel at Placa d’Espanya). The day before the marathon, I was able to walk to the expo to collect my registration pack & have a look at the latest kit, as well as picking up a few last-minute tips. Again, on race day, as the start was within walking distance, it meant that I didn’t need to rush my pre-race routine, and I could use my hotel’s facilities rather than the temporary setup at the start area, which is always an added luxury. After the finish, once I’d picked up my medal & had a lie down to recover, I didn’t have to worry too much about finding my way home for a well-earned shower and a cold beer.

Spectators

If you’re bringing friends & family along to support you, there are plenty of places for them to watch, depending on how fast you’re expecting to get round the course. The start/finish area is relatively open away from the areas reserved for participants, so there are plenty of places to meet up as well as watching the start/finish. You’re also on two of the main underground lines, so you can get to a number of other points on the course with relative ease.

Before & After the Marathon

As Spain’s second city, Barcelona has something for everyone, so I won’t attempt to list everything you can see or do during your stay, as there will almost certainly be a guide available online tailored to your personal interests. However, I will give a couple of pointers based on my personal experience.

Before the marathon, if you’re trying to avoid walking too much, an open-top bus tour of the city is the perfect way to see the sights while resting your legs. Most tours give you the option to get off the bus at any of the stops if you fancy a short stroll. If you want to visit the 1992 Olympic venues on top of the nearby Montjuic, you can either take the local bus or, for a more original route, take the funicular and one or both of the cable cars.

If you’re not keen to walk too far after the marathon, as well as an extensive public transport network, Barcelona also has a network of bike lanes. You can either rent a bike for the day from one of several shops recommended by the local tourist office, or even join a leisurely guided bike tour of the city. Alternatively, if you just want to recover from your marathon, you can make your way down to the beach, and even go for a refreshing swim in the sea.

Marathon Tours & Travel have a great value package with accommodation right there at the start / finish / expo area, guaranteed race entry and support from experienced staff in Barcelona. Stay for 3 nights and join us for a welcome meeting, breakfast run and post-race get together. Book here >